I got asked today to run sound for a famous Televangelist(W.V Grant)that is coming to a church here in town. Coincidentally, this is the same church that Brother Steve preached at when he came down to visit. I didn't have much time to think about whether or not to do it, because the lady who came by and asked needed an answer on the spot. Having never heard of him, I reluctantly to do it and when she left, I looked this guy up. I was startled to find that he is a very popular preacher who is of the "word of faith" variety and apparently has a miracle ministry. As with most televangelist, he also has a very spotty past. I do not mean to belittle this guy, but he served time for tax evasion and has had many exposes done about his so called ministry. On the fliers that were distributed around town for advertising his meeting, it has a picture of a guy who apparently got gold fillings in his teeth when Mr. Grant prayed for him.
I am a little concerned for several reasons...
1.) I can't really stomach prosperity preaching I have seen the fruits of such doctrines and I personally question the motives of people who preach it.
2.) I have problems with those who boast of certain gifts only to manipulate those who are listening. I have heard so many stories about "healing evangelist" that blow into town and allegedly heal people, only to leave the next day and those who were "healed" go back to their previous condition.
3.) Lastly, I am not sure that I could refrain from asking this guy some serious questions regarding his ministry.
What do you guys/girls think? Ever been in this same situation?
Need you guys advice.
Re: Need you guys advice.
What if you encountered a bunch of equipment problems at the last moment?
I had a situation in my church (I was the music minister) where some people were doing a patriot presentation in the meeting and promoted the masonic bible (or some freemason item) as something good. I told the pastor that we should correct this inappropriate presentation. Well... I ended up finding the pastor was doing more evil than just this simple inaction to publically rebuke/reject the promotion of freemasonry.
If the church group isn't fully entrenched into WOF, you may be able to be promote the truth or to send people to Gregg's website (just for general bible education). It was a bit pushy for the woman to demand a response right away -- I know what it is like trying to be helpful whenever possible.
I had a situation in my church (I was the music minister) where some people were doing a patriot presentation in the meeting and promoted the masonic bible (or some freemason item) as something good. I told the pastor that we should correct this inappropriate presentation. Well... I ended up finding the pastor was doing more evil than just this simple inaction to publically rebuke/reject the promotion of freemasonry.
If the church group isn't fully entrenched into WOF, you may be able to be promote the truth or to send people to Gregg's website (just for general bible education). It was a bit pushy for the woman to demand a response right away -- I know what it is like trying to be helpful whenever possible.
Please visit my youtube channel -- http://youtube.com/@thebibledialogues
Also visit parablesofthemysteries.com
Re: Need you guys advice.
Are you asking whether you can, in good conscience, run sound for a guy that you suspect is a fraud, weighed against whether you can, in good conscience, back out on your commitment to do so?
That's kind of how I'm reading it, but if I'm wrong maybe you can clarify.
If it is then, start by approaching the person to whom you first made the commitment and see if they are willing to release you from it. Assisting her in finding someone to replace you might go a long way in that regard. If she's unwilling, or a replacement can't be found... my inclination is to suggest that you go ahead and honor the commitment. Running sound for the guy is not the same thing as endorsing what he's preaching.
That's kind of how I'm reading it, but if I'm wrong maybe you can clarify.
If it is then, start by approaching the person to whom you first made the commitment and see if they are willing to release you from it. Assisting her in finding someone to replace you might go a long way in that regard. If she's unwilling, or a replacement can't be found... my inclination is to suggest that you go ahead and honor the commitment. Running sound for the guy is not the same thing as endorsing what he's preaching.
Re: Need you guys advice.
If you feel bad about it AND can get out of it, you should feel free to do so
But I agree with the above post. Helping with sound (and keeping a commitment) is not an endorsement any more than paying your taxes is an endorsement of some of the foolish/wicked policies of a government or turning water into wine is an endorsement of drunkenness. We're not responsible for what people do with a morally neutral service or resource.
But I agree with the above post. Helping with sound (and keeping a commitment) is not an endorsement any more than paying your taxes is an endorsement of some of the foolish/wicked policies of a government or turning water into wine is an endorsement of drunkenness. We're not responsible for what people do with a morally neutral service or resource.
Re: Need you guys advice.
Sticky situation, brody...curious as to what eventuated; has it been and gone, or is it an on-going series of meetings?
Suzana
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If a man cannot be a Christian in the place he is, he cannot be a Christian anywhere. - Henry Ward Beecher
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If a man cannot be a Christian in the place he is, he cannot be a Christian anywhere. - Henry Ward Beecher
Re: Need you guys advice.
Hey everybody,
Everything turned out just fine. I honored my commitment by showing up to run the sound, but it turned out that the Pastor's husband arrived to take care of it. I found out that he was originally scheduled to do it, but the pastor was not sure that she could depend on him to show up.
Before I arrived, I invited a close Christian friend to go with me. Upon finding out that I was not going to be needed, we sat down and talked with a few folks. At that time, Mr. W.V Grant arrived. His entourage had been there previously to set up several tables full of his books and tapes. A few of the people there talked about Mr. Grant' amazing prophetic gift and encouraged me and my friend to stay and receive "a blessing". At this time, Mr Grant went around in the room and handed out a magazine that advertised his ministry. The magazine was page after page of "testimonials" and pictures from his crusades. Many people showed gold fillings that allegedly came as a result of his ministry.
After flipping through the magazine, my friend looked over at me and said, "Where is Jesus mentioned in all of this stuff? Where is the gospel? All I see is pictures of W.V and testimonies of how great he is!" I could not have agreed more, so we left.
Everything turned out just fine. I honored my commitment by showing up to run the sound, but it turned out that the Pastor's husband arrived to take care of it. I found out that he was originally scheduled to do it, but the pastor was not sure that she could depend on him to show up.
Before I arrived, I invited a close Christian friend to go with me. Upon finding out that I was not going to be needed, we sat down and talked with a few folks. At that time, Mr. W.V Grant arrived. His entourage had been there previously to set up several tables full of his books and tapes. A few of the people there talked about Mr. Grant' amazing prophetic gift and encouraged me and my friend to stay and receive "a blessing". At this time, Mr Grant went around in the room and handed out a magazine that advertised his ministry. The magazine was page after page of "testimonials" and pictures from his crusades. Many people showed gold fillings that allegedly came as a result of his ministry.
After flipping through the magazine, my friend looked over at me and said, "Where is Jesus mentioned in all of this stuff? Where is the gospel? All I see is pictures of W.V and testimonies of how great he is!" I could not have agreed more, so we left.